Alternative solutions to the concrete fully-slatted floor for the housing of finishing beef cattle: effects on growth performance, health of the locomotor system and behaviour.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of two potential alternative solutions to the concrete fully-slatted floor (FS), namely, a perforated floor (PF) and a perforated floor coated with a rubber mattress (RM), on growth, locomotor system health, and behaviour of intensively finished young bulls. Forty-eight male beef-crosses (Charolais × Aubrac) were allotted to six pens of eight animals (two pens/floor type) for a finishing period of 175 ± 7 days. Growth was recorded and two health checks and two 8-h behavioural observations were carried out by trained assessors 1 month after the beginning of the trial (Initial) and 2 weeks before slaughter (Final). Feed intake was not affected by floor type, but average daily gain of RM bulls was higher than that of FS (1.37 vs. 1.19 kg, P=0.01), with PF being intermediate (1.27 kg). Behavioural observations showed that FS bulls had a higher number of slipping events (6.5) than PF (2.1; P=0.01) and RM bulls (0.9; P<0.01). Bulls on FS showed more lying down attempts (2.2 vs. 0.1; P=0.001), a lower number of lying/standing transitions (4.5 vs. 7.3; P<0.001) and a longer lying duration (5.9 vs. 4.7s; P<0.01) than RM bulls. Signs of lameness were observed in five FS bulls at the final assessment. RM floor proved to be a good alternative to FS but it increased the likelihood of overgrown claws due to insufficient hoof wear.